Gardening , Plants , seeds , pots  and seasonal Care of Bonsai Tree.

Bonsai Tree Care Information !

Bonsai Tree ? Tell me more !!!

Bonsai Trees are miniature trees grown in pots. The aim of Bonsai Tree culture is to develop a tiny tree that has all the elements of a large tree growing in a natural setting.

Bonsai Trees are kept outdoors most of the year, but , from time to time , these miniaturized versions of nature are brought indoors for display. Only certain tropical trees, shrubs, and vines can be continually kept indoors full time as a Bonsai Tree.

Bonsai, as an art form, stems from ancient oriental culture. It originated in China and was developed by the Japanese. In the 13th century, the Japanese collected and potted wild trees that had been dwarfed by nature.

These naturally formed miniatures were the first Bonsai Trees.

When demand for the small trees outstripped the supply, Japanese gardening specialists began to train Bonsai from native trees. They shaped the trees to give them the illusion of age and naturalness. Over the years, the Japanese devised standards of shape and form, which gradually began the classic Bonsai Tree styles.

American bonsai are much freer in concept and style than Japanese bonsai. American bonsai growers have recognized that the horticultural and aesthetic rules are important, but are specifically aimed at Japanese culture. Because of this, Americans have taken oriental styles and applied them to plants never grown by the Japanese. Therefore, the rigid procedures and names used by the Japanese are not used in this bulletin.

Not all plants are equally effective as bonsai. To produce a realistic illusion of a mature tree, look for plants with the following characteristics:

· Small leaves or needles.

· Short internodes, or distances between leaves.

· Attractive bark or roots.

· Branching characteristics for good twig forms.

Among the plants with small leaves and needles are spruce, pine, zelkova, pomegranate, and certain oaks and maples.

Plants have a “best profile” just as people do. Decide on the front of the tree at the very beginning, because planting and shaping are done with the front of the tree in mind. However, you may change your ideas about the plants ultimate shape as you clip and prune.

Before deciding on the shape of your bonsai, study the tree carefully, and take into account the natural form of the species. Observe the way mature trees of the same kind grow in their natural setting to achieve an impression of age and reality.